KINGSTON, R.I. - The
University of Richmond Spiders baseball team took the first game of a
three-game series at Rhode Island on Friday afternoon, 3-2. With the win, the Spiders improve to 23-23
overall and to 10-9 in Atlantic 10 conference play. With the loss, Rhode Island falls to 27-22 on
the year and to 12-7 in league action.

Making the start on late notice, senior Alex Maffett was
great for Richmond. Starting after Jacob Mayers was a late scratch, Maffett
tossed 6.2 strong innings. The senior
allowed two runs, just one earned, while striking out five. Sophomore Andrew Brockett finished out the
game for his fourth save of the season, pitching the final 2.1 innings. Brockett allowed just two hits while striking
out a pair.

With both teams failing to score in the first inning, the
Spiders jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second without getting a
hit. Senior Bryan Conway reached first
after striking out on a wild pitch. Bret
Williams followed and made it on base after getting hit by a pitch.

That's when the inning took a unique turn. After a fielder's choice, URI starter Anthony
Pisani was then called for two balks, plating one run while putting Joey
Vecchione at third with one out.
Flanagan battled through an extended at-bat, coming through with a
sacrifice fly that made the Spider lead 2-0.

Rhode Island was able to cut in to the lead in the bottom of
the second, scoring one unearned run to make the Spider lead, 2-1, after two
innings. Richmond answered right back in
the top of the third, however, pushing the advantage back to two on a Cowell
two-out, RBI double down the left-field line.

Holding on to a 3-2 lead, the Spiders used great pitching
and solid defense to hold on to the lead.
Maffett, along with Brockett, didn't allow a Rhode Island runner any
further than second base the rest of the game.
Richmond would take the game, defeating the Rams, 3-2.

The Richmond Spiders will continue their three-game series
with the Rhode Island Rams on Saturday.
First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.